An Allentown woman who burned down an apartment building, killing her father figure in what she told police was a botched suicide attempt, was sentenced Monday to 14 to 42 years in state prison.

Holly Ann Applegate, 43, is a drug addict who suffers from brain damage, bipolar disorder and diabetes, according to a defense witness. Applegate said she lit herself on fire after an online date fell through when the man learned about her past, which includes drug convictions and prostitution.

Applegate said she regrets starting the three-alarm fire that killed 82-year-old Octavio Quinones and destroyed hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of property.

"I know what I did was wrong," she said. "I don't remember it, but I know it was wrong."

Defense witness Frank Dattilio, a forensic psychologist, said Applegate has lived a hard life and has never been treated properly for her mental and psychological disorders. Applegate was born into a dysfunctional family, raped by a man at age 16, lost one of her four children when the baby was 3 months old, and later turned to drugs, alcohol and prostitution, Dattilio said.

The psychologist said Applegate's IQ is 77, but First Assistant District Attorney Steven Luksa pointed out that's considered high enough for a person to live independently. Luksa said Applegate chose to take drugs and abuse alcohol and hasn't taken medicine prescribed for her.

"She's made poor choices and her choices are placing the community at risk," he said.

In October, Applegate pleaded guilty to to third-degree murder but mentally ill, arson and multiple counts of reckless endangerment for starting the Feb. 17 fire at 310 N. Ninth St. around 2:30 a.m.

Authorities say Applegate poured lighter fluid on her pants and set them ablaze but took them off when her legs started to hurt. Thinking she had patted the fire out, she went to the bathroom and then the kitchen to pour herself a drink, she told police. Her roommates noticed the fire and unsuccessfully tried to put it out before they all fled. Quinones put on his coat and prepared to escape, but was unable to get out of his third-floor bedroom, Luksa said.

Michele Bieber, one of six people in the building when flames erupted, testified Monday that she lost more than $25,000 worth of furniture, clothing and other items in the blaze. She said she was sleeping on the third floor when her daughter's boyfriend knocked on the door to wake her. Bieber said she climbed out to a balcony and firefighters used a ladder to save her.

"I lost everything I own," she said.

Banach ordered Applegate to pay more than $155,700 in restitution to State Farm Insurance, which covered the damage to the building, and to all the residents who lost belongings. She also ordered Applegate to enter programs in state prison for her mental and psychological issues.

"You've had a horrible life," Banach told Applegate. "Unfortunately, anything anyone has done to help you, you haven't taken advantage of."